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Source: ONE News -
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The deaths of five New Zealanders have now been confirmed in Samoa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says three adults and two young children have died and a young child is missing, presumed dead.
It says there are grave concerns for two other New Zealanders who were known to be staying at the Taufua Resort, Lalomanu at the time of the tsunami.
All known injured New Zealanders were medi-vaced back to New Zealand on an RNZAF plane on Saturday although one person chose to remain in hospital in Apia with the support of family members.
The whereabouts of about 60 New Zealanders is still unknown but some may no longer be in Samoa.
No New Zealanders are believed to have been caught in the tsunami in Tonga.
Kiwis take on grim task
Meanwhile, New Zealanders are taking on one of the more grim tasks in the wake of the devastating tsunamis.
A police Disaster Victim Identification team is helping with the aftermmath and ONE News reporter Lisa Owen says many of the victims were killed by debris from buildings smashed in the first tsunami wave.
She says it turned debris like broken glass, timber and roofing iron into missiles swirling in a whirlpool.
Police Minister Judith Collins' husband is flying to Samoa to be part of the aid effort.
David Wong Tung was born in Samoa. Collins says her husband has
volunteered to help in post tsunami relief work.
She says he is an honorary special advisor to the Prime Minister of
Samoa and a former police officer himself.
He will spend a week volunteering to assist wherever he is needed.
Collins says places which have been devastated in the tsunami are close to her own and her husband's hearts.
And the Minister of Police is refuting the idea New Zealand isn't doing enough to help out in Samoa. Some volunteers have reportedly complained of a lack of specialist search dogs.
Assistant Commissioner Steve Shortland has returned from Samoa where he met the Samoan Commissioner, and visited the worst-hit areas. Collins says she has been assured everything the Samoan government has asked for from our police has been provided. She says it is important to remember Samoa is an independent nation, but when our government is asked for help it is prepared to give it.
Additional medical help
An Air Force plane has taken Samoan doctors and nurses to join a New Zealand medical team helping with disaster relief work. Counties-Manukau District Health Board says the team of 14 health professionals includes four New Zealand-based Samoan doctors and nurses.
Chief Operating Officer Ron Dunham says there has been a lot of pressure on local medical workers since last week's tsunami. He says part of the role of the Counties Manukau team will be to relieve local clinical staff.
A psychosocial worker is included in the team to help people in Samoa cope with the mental trauma of this week's tsunami. Dunham says it's vital to provide this kind of support and as the days go on aid workers as well as the local population will need it.
Dunham says the psychosocial worker was sent in response to a request from the Samoan government.
The Prime Minister has promised more aid for Samoa, but says preventing an outbreak of disease is the immediate priority.
John Key toured tsunami-damaged villages on Saturday. He would not say how much more New Zealand will be putting in, but he believes it's important the country steps up to the plate.
Key's tour took in the village of Lalomanu, which he says has gone from being an idyllic part of the world to "Ground Zero".
The risk of disease was raised in meetings with local medical teams and Key says the New Zealand specialists will look out for cases of potentially deadly tetanus in particular. He has assured the Samoans that NZ has enough vaccine for the entire population, if necessary.
A New Zealand Navy team will be working on damaged pipe work, aiming to restore clean water to some areas.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentjaxlino said on 2009-10-07 @ 14:15 NZDT: Report abusive post
anyone from the Satitoa village?
markservian said on 2009-10-05 @ 21:05 NZDT: Report abusive post
Tai Taufua is interviewed in this story... http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/church-comforts-many-in-samoa-3048401/video
Liviyj12 said on 2009-10-05 @ 19:30 NZDT: Report abusive post
i feel sorry fot those who have been affected.... i also feel sorry for Vai. he has lost so much of his family..:(
Micksta said on 2009-10-05 @ 11:16 NZDT: Report abusive post
My heart goes out to everyone who has lost family member/s in the earthquake and tsunami. I know what it would be like, as I was in Samoa as the earthquake struck and I read and saw the devastating effects of the tsunami that followed, both in newspapers and also for real. I would like to say that Nuu Black Sand Beach was hit my the tsunami and is in a bad state (Not that much of an attraction now).
PurpleOlive said on 2009-10-05 @ 09:04 NZDT: Report abusive post
I am so sad for all who have lost family members. We are humbled by how quickly lives can be lost. Our hearts go out to each and every one of you and I cry tears for your sweet babies. Your pain is shared by our thoughts and may you find the strength within yourselves to carry on, xox